Month: August 2025

TACOMA, WASHINGTON, August 19, 2025 /3BL/ — The KeyBank Foundation has announced a grant of $300,000 to Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity to support its Housing Counseling program and Building Hope project, both designed to improve financial stability and homeownership among underserved communities.

Through Tacoma Habitat’s Housing Counseling program, HUD-certified housing counselors work one-on-one helping clients learn skills that prepare them for financial stability, including homeownership. This highly successful program has become an incubator for Tacoma Habitat’s homeownership program, with 32 Housing Counseling clients becoming successful Habitat homeowners since the program began four years ago.

With the Building Hope project, Tacoma Habitat has an unprecedented and time-bound opportunity to purchase up to 80 single-family rental homes being divested by the Pierce County Housing Authority. Homes are purchased, renovated, and then sold to buyers earning up to 80% of the area median income. Because Habitat homes are sold under a restricted-resale model, these homes will remain permanently affordable even if the original buyer should choose to sell.

“At KeyBank, our mission is to help our communities thrive, and that means addressing gaps that might prevent our neighbors from building wealth through home ownership,” said Brian Marlow, KeyBank’s Washington State Market President. “Having stable housing is transformational for generations to come, and we have long been impressed with Habitat for Humanity’s impressive model and proven success.”

“This program helps vulnerable homebuyers achieve the self-confidence and financial knowledge needed to purchase an affordable family home,” said I.V. Reeves, Regional Corporate Responsibility Officer. “KeyBank is proud to support the efforts of Habitat for Humanity.”

“We are deeply grateful to KeyBank for their generous investment in affordable homeownership,” said Sherrana Kildun, CEO of Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity. “This grant strengthens two impactful initiatives—helping families build financial resilience through housing counseling, and expanding access to permanently affordable homes through the Building Hope renovation project. Together with partners like KeyBank, we are changing the trajectory for families in Pierce County for generations to come.”

ABOUT TACOMA / PIERCE COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Since 1985, Tacoma/Pierce County Habitat for Humanity has been building and renovating affordable homes in Pierce County, helping hundreds of families achieve the dream of homeownership. Households earning up to 80 percent of the area median income partner with Habitat to become homeowners. Each partner household contributes “sweat equity” hours working to build or renovate their own home or the homes of their neighbors. Habitat homebuyers may have access to down payment assistance which helps with affordability, allowing them to achieve long-term financial success and build generational wealth. Since 2022, all homes built or renovated by Tacoma Habitat have been sold under a restricted resale model ensuring the home remains permanently affordable to another income-qualified homebuyer should the original homebuyer choose to sell.

ABOUT KEYCORP 
In 2025, KeyCorp celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years of service to clients and communities from Maine to Alaska. To learn more, visit KeyBank Heritage Center. Headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, Key is one of the nation’s largest bank-based financial services companies, with assets of approximately $185 billion at June 30, 2025. Key provides deposit, lending, cash management, and investment services to individuals and businesses in 15 states under the name KeyBank National Association through a network of approximately 1,000 branches and approximately 1,200 ATMs. Key also provides a broad range of sophisticated corporate and investment banking products, such as merger and acquisition advice, public and private debt and equity, syndications and derivatives to middle market companies in selected industries throughout the United States under the KeyBanc Capital Markets trade name. For more information, visit https://www.key.com/. KeyBank Member FDIC.

###

By Kim Borges

MacKenzie Thompson was sitting in class when she heard the call to action. Immediately, she knew.

This was an opportunity too promising not to seize.

“There was an intercom announcement at school to meet at lunchtime if we were interested,” she said. “I remember rushing home to tell my mom all about it. Then, we started praying.”

Limited slots, pangs of self-doubt, a car accident – it hasn’t been easy the past three years.

But Thompson’s resounding faith and family support network have overcome them all.

“It’s already been ordained, so ain’t no sense in worrying about it,” she said. “When something is meant for you, it’s meant for you.”

The something meant for Thompson?

Hire Local, a workforce program connecting people living across Shelby County, Tennessee, with training, education and employment opportunities in Memphis’s Medical District.

In the spring of 2023, Thompson was accepted into Hire Local’s Career Launch Academy out of high school. She began earning her certified nursing assistant (CNA) certification that summer working at Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, an MMDC program partner. While the training is fast-tracked, the program’s goal is to launch long-term medical careers. The best part? Students pay no tuition and earn wages while they learn.

The same year Thompson entered the program, the Regions Foundation, a nonprofit primarily funded by Regions Bank, first supported Hire Local.

And this April, the Foundation presented the Memphis Medical District Collaborative (MMDC), which conducts the program, with a second grant for $30,000.

“Hire Local is connecting people like MacKenzie who are passionate about entering the medical field with skilled training and employment right in their neighborhood,” said Marta Mendes-Miguel Self, executive director of the Regions Foundation. “This program addresses two of the most important needs any community has – the health of people and families living in it and the vitality of its workforce.”

Since its founding just four years ago, Hire Local is already making a positive impact across Memphis.

This program addresses two of the most important needs any community has – the health of people and families living in it and the vitality of its workforce.

Marta Mendes-Miguel Self, executive director of the Regions Foundation

“Funding from our community partners like the Regions Foundation is enabling us to design and deliver innovative workforce solutions grounded in industry best practices, evidence-informed strategies, and address the needs of our local talent base,” said Latasha Harris, MMDC’s senior director of Workforce Strategies. “It’s also strengthening our internal capacity to drive meaningful outcomes, which is more vital than ever.”

Thompson met Harris the day she heard that announcement charting her professional path. The two quickly established a bond.

“Tasha is the true definition of a mentor,” she said. “She really wants to know how you’re doing. She’s very hands on, even when I don’t know I need it. She’s like my ‘check engine’ light.”

“MacKenzie is resilient, insightful and determined,” Harris added. “I’ve seen her become much more confident and articulate since joining the program. She’s also developed strong leadership skills.”

Skills put to the test before Thompson ever entered Le Bonheur’s doors.

“I was counting down how many days until class started and was so excited,” she recalled. “I went out and bought brand-new scrubs, thinking, ‘This is going to be so much fun.’”

And then, shortly before Thompson’s training began, bam! A car accident left her without transportation.

But remember that unwavering faith and support network?

“My mom said, ‘I’ll take you every day,’” Thompson recalled. “Everything just worked out perfectly. This is for me because God worked it out.”

Worked it out, indeed.

More than two years later, Thompson continues to work as a CNA in the cardiac unit at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, a role she says perfectly suits her.

“I’m kind of a kid at heart, so pediatrics have my heart,” she said. “Our babies are critical. You build strong connections with families going through that.”

And thanks to another Hire Local partnership, Thompson is also working on advancing her nursing career at the Tennessee College of Applied Technology.

The program helps students earn and learn their way up the career ladder with a success coach, tuition assistance and other benefits.

Thompson completed pre-requisite coursework for the licensed practical nursing program in June and will dive into her core classes in September.

“I’m really excited about that,” she said.

Something else that excites Thompson? Sharing Hire Local’s value with others.

Thompson recently joined Harris to promote the program on a local television station and spoke to this summer’s cohort, things she never dreamed she’d do years ago.

“I had so much fun being on the news,” she said. “My mama just kept watching it over and over and my little brother loves telling me how proud he is of me. I would’ve never done that had I not known the Hire Local team. This program has given me more opportunities to put myself out there.”

I think life is just too short to not be doing what you love to do. This is what God wanted me to do.

MacKenzie Thompson

While she’s not exactly certain what the future holds, Thompson is confident it will work out just as everything else has. And she’s beyond grateful to Harris and Hire Local for helping her make it happen.

“You don’t have to go into debt to do what you want to do,” Thompson said. “I love what I do, and I want to love what I do when I’m 50, 60, 70. I think life is just too short to not be doing what you love to do. This is what God wanted me to do.”

Amen.

Beyond the Stipend:

In addition to financial support, Hire Local provides students with additional resources, including:

• Networking and mentor opportunities.
• Professional skills development training in communication, teamwork, time and stress management and workplace etiquette.
• Career exposure through guest speakers, employer classroom visits and job shadowing aligning with students’ interests and strengths.
• Introductions to Hire Local employers and industry professionals opening doors to internships, references and jobs.

About Regions Foundation:
The Alabama-based Region Foundation supports community investments that positively impact communities served by Regions Bank. The Foundation engages in a grantmaking program focused on priorities including economic and community development; education and workforce readiness; and financial wellness. The Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation funded primarily through contributions from Regions Bank. To learn more about the Regions Foundation visit www.regions.com/foundation.

ST. PAUL, Minn., August 19, 2025 /3BL/ – Antea Group USA is proud to announce the addition of Rosemarie Hebner, Esq., to our Risk and Financial Services team. She will serve as a Senior Consultant and Client Account Leader within our Insurance and Legal Sub-segments.

Rosemarie has over a decade of experience navigating complex environmental challenges and regulatory frameworks. With a robust foundation in environmental law and a proven track record in client advocacy, she brings unparalleled insight into risk mitigation, regulatory compliance, and strategic case assessment.

Prior to transitioning into consultancy, Rosemarie served as a seasoned environmental litigator, representing clients in high-stakes insurance defense matters from pre-claim resolution through inception discovery, motion practice, expect witness preparation and trial.

Rosemarie’s litigation experience spans a wide array of environmental disputes, including contamination claims, toxic torts, and natural resource damages, allowing her to offer practical and informed consulting support across industries.

Known for precision, tenacity, and strategic foresight, Rosemarie now applies her legal acumen to help insurers, law firms, and industry proactively manage environmental exposure and navigate evolving regulatory landscapes.

“We are thrilled to welcome Rosemarie to the team,” said Ben Hansen, Vice President and Risk and Financial Services Market Segment Leader at Antea Group. “Her deep experience as an environmental litigator and her ability to translate complex legal issues into actionable strategies make her an invaluable asset to our clients. We look forward to the leadership and innovation she’ll bring to our team.”

Click to learn more about our insurance industry services and our legal services at Antea Group. 

 

About Antea Group

Antea Group is an international engineering and environmental consulting firm specializing in full-service solutions in the fields of environment, infrastructure, urban planning, and water. By combining strategic thinking and multidisciplinary perspectives with technical expertise and pragmatic action, we do more than effectively solve client challenges; we deliver sustainable results for a better future. To learn more, visit us.anteagroup.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

 

For media inquiries, please contact:
Alison Bryant
Marketing & Communications Director
alison.bryant@anteagroup.us

Tucked among the fields just outside the quiet village of Troy Grove, Ill., sits a small but mighty Covia facility that plays an important role in Covia’s foundry and industrial markets.

Covia’s Troy Grove Resin plant may be modest in size, but what happens inside is anything but ordinary. This site is where science meets craftsmanship, where a tight-knit team uses advanced thermodynamics to deliver resin-coated sand products for manufacturers near and far. And like many Covia facilities, Troy Grove’s story is rooted in resilience, continuous improvement, and a deep pride in what they do.

A Tight-Knit Group with a Long History

Covia has operated the Troy Grove Resin plant for more than 30 years, with the facility’s history going back several decades prior.

Covia’s Troy Grove Resin plant stands out for its remarkable employee longevity. Many of the facility’s 17 team members have been part of the operation since Covia acquired the plant in the ‘90s, with one team member’s service dating back even earlier. This deep-rooted experience reflects a strong sense of commitment and continuity within the team.

“Jose Sanchez was here before the plant was even part of Covia and just celebrated 51 years of service in June,” said Operations Manager Jennifer Perry. “He’s a walking history book, and a reminder of what long-term commitment looks like.”

With decades of experience and several deep bonds formed over time, Troy Grove Resin runs on trust, experience, and collaboration.

The Process Behind Resin Coated Sand

So, what exactly happens at Troy Grove Resin? The short answer is a combination of heat, chemistry, and precision.

The plant uses the power of thermodynamics to produce resin-coated sand refined to meet each customer’s specific needs. At Troy Grove, first heating sand up to a desired temperature where it is then dropped into a pug mill. Once in the pug mill, resin and cross linker are added to form a reaction. The reaction is then stopped using water before the sand is dried out and exits the mill. Troy Grove Resin can add various additives to generate products specific to each customer. The facility is equipped to produce a wide range of formulas, with a significant portion currently in active production.

After a batch is done in the pug mill, it’s screened, cooled, and packaged — usually in 2,000 to 4,000 lb. bags for coated sands ranging from 30 GFN (Grain Fineness Number) all the way up to 100. No matter the result, the team at Troy Grove has processes in place to deliver quality products for every batch.

“Our SCADA system manages temperature with less than a 5-degree tolerance,” Jennifer explained. “Whether it’s -30 or 100 degrees outside, we aim for exact consistency every single time. That’s what customers count on — and it’s what we’re proud to deliver.”

Safety: A Culture Built to Last

Heat may be a necessity in the resin process, but so is vigilance. Safety isn’t just a policy at Troy Grove, it’s personal for such a tight-knit group.

“Safety starts with us,” Jennifer said. “Many of these guys have worked side-by-side for decades. They’re not just protecting themselves; they’re protecting each other.”

Their commitment to safety has paid serious dividends for team members and their families. The Troy Grove Resin plant is approaching 10 years without a lost-time incident, which is a powerful testament to the team’s dedication to taking care of themselves and everyone else at the facility.

Looking Ahead to the Next Opportunity

The Troy Grove Resin Plant has the processes and determination needed to provide customers with consistent, quality resin-coated sand products, and they don’t plan on stopping there. The team is exploring ways to diversify into new markets and offer new capabilities outside of resin coated sand.

“We are a better plant every day when we come in and we’re better than we were five years ago,” Jennifer said. “We want to continue to diversify our portfolio and we’re planning on becoming even better as we continue to learn.”

From the heart of Illinois, this small but powerful Covia plant continues to raise the bar – one batch at a time.

More than 200 community members came together for Entergy New Orleans’ annual Energize NOLA! Community Fair and Back-to-School Giveaway. The free event transformed The Green at Columbia Parc into a lively hub of activity, providing energy-saving tools, community resources, and back-to-school essentials.

Families participated in a variety of activities that combined fun with learning. Attendees enjoyed snowballs, live music, and face-painting, while science enthusiasts explored our interactive Arcs and Sparks demonstration. Students were also gifted backpacks filled with essential school supplies to help them start the academic year prepared and confident.

“Energize NOLA! Community Fair is a celebration of our deep commitment to the city of New Orleans,” said Stephanie Willis, director of public affairs at Entergy New Orleans. “We’re proud to support our neighbors by providing resources that empower families and help students start the school year ready to succeed.”

The event connected families with valuable community resources. United Way of Southeast Louisiana and Green Light New Orleans shared information about their support services and sustainability programs, while Energy Smart provided free energy-saving tools and practical tips for lowering household energy costs.

Guests also had an opportunity to tour Entergy’s Mobile Command Unit and gain insight into the company’s emergency response and support operations. To add to the excitement, several Entergy employees rode in the company’s bucket trucks, rising 80 feet into the air to provide attendees a firsthand look at the vital work linemen do every day to keep our communities powered.

View original content here.

Entergy Corporation
Entergy produces, transmits and distributes electricity to power life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing for growth and improved reliability and resilience of our energy system while working to keep energy rates affordable for our customers. We’re also investing in cleaner energy generation like modern natural gas, nuclear and renewable energy. A nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship, we deliver more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to the communities we serve through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is a Fortune 500 company headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at entergy.com and follow @Entergy on social media.

Corporate Social Responsibility at Entergy

For more than 100 years, Entergy has powered life in our communities through strategic philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy’s corporate social responsibility initiatives help create and sustain thriving communities, position the company for sustainable growth and are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Our top CSR priorities are education/workforce development, poverty solutions/social services and environmental programs. Entergy annually contributes $16-$18 million in shareholder-funded grants to approximately 2,000 nonprofit organizations in the communities where we operate. In addition, our employees volunteer more than 100,000 hours in those communities’ values at more than $3 million.